Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-09

into the mess room, his face flushed, his eyes
| sparkling with anger, and roared out:
b o S Smith IL ro M a9 IS s es3 I'll call
| 'Old smith," drawled a languid Junior. "He
| applied for weeks leave this afternoon and went
| OF by the > train to town."
| "Has he, though? The double-faced cad!"
Every one looked up at this unusual ebullition OF
wrath, and there was "a, chorus nc, OF Why"
| III be even with him, or my names not Bob
Topsham"
Up tie steps OF Lord Cray's residence in Bryans-
\ ton square Smith went a day or two after the
events above recorded. The words "Hopshire
Regiment on his card procured him instant ad-
| mission TO the presence OF nobleman who was
not visible TO one person out OF half a dozen who
called and he found himself with tall, dark man,
who was suitably enShrined In a lofty dark study
"Ha, Mr.. Smith" said Lord Cray, rising. 'De-
aWaSa 70 see you sit; and yeand ye I'm
son OF mine"
at is with reference to him that have come, "
Then before you begin. please tell me If am to
prepare myself for bad news?' said Lord Cray.
"Weil, my lord it needn't be bad" replied
smith. That is to say, 1t depends upon the way
Him! Depends upon me. does It'll What is 1T"
:" He's in love with girl,~ said old Smith.
That's regular epidemic with him. Mr.:
| all right 1 don't care. Nothing will steady
MIN until he marries; and If, as said, she's
ahem, OF suitable position-of course, Mr.. Smith,
we must be little exclusive-why, it's the very
best thing he can do"
We'll. my lord, there's the difficulty" said old
Smith. "She'S a lady by birth and education, but
from pressure OF family circumstances she has
shop"
"Milliner's shopr' exclaimed Lord Cray. "That
Is indeed difficulty. The best OF birth and edu-
cation hardly balances the shop does 1t, eh? Con-
you've come to see ne ah gone so .ar 51as
great friend OF his believe they call you old
smith NTH In the regiment, don't they?"
Eyes, take great interest in him and in the
glri, replied smith, land I've taken the liberty
not only TO speak pretty plainly to your son. but
''Then you've constituted yourself the young
tne young lady's protector, Mr.. smith," said his
lordship "But II the cause of the evil is removed
has been in love-hOpelessly in love-a score OF
times 10 my knowledge: yet he has survived In
each case. Why shouldn't he survive in thiS?"
well, my lord, you see the girl loves him hon.
estly and truly and conscientiOusy believe that,
In this instance, his love is really genuine"
piled Smith. "True that she is out OF his way
now, but could not answer for the effect which
such separation might have on him."
HIN! Well, Of course, Lord Cray's son mustn't
SELF does sell his game and his FRUIT and possesses
coal wharf on the Regents Canal" said the
n lSd en net you say she's lady, Where Is
with her father in the country" replied the
officer.
''Who is he? What Is hep asked Lord Cray.
HE Is a clergyman-the rector OF poor parish,
with large family to bring up upon q very insur,
nc1ent Income, so that he has been obliged to send
MS daughter out TO get her own living in the
world, replied old Smith.
The great man rose from his chair and paced up
and down the room for some moments in deep
thought AT last he stopped short and said:
capt. Smith, get the girl out OF the millinery
business as soon as you can. OF course, am say
Ing thlS upon the superstition that you are so far
acquainted with her to be able to do IL. II
money is needed, write Inc d line here and let the
young rascal pursue his suit / don't know how
hay
taken In the matter, as in the absence OF the in
formation you have given me should assuredly
m1ltner girl with the greatest severity"
Then l may tell your son, my lord, that
'sThe sooner he gets married the better" said
Lord Cray.
Old smith took his leave with beaming face, and
arrived at FilStOne in time for mess
The honorable Bob TOpSham was there and
glared unutterabe things at his brother officer
throughout the repast. Indeed, old Smith could
not help being conscious that he was an object OF
general interest, and from the fact that CONVEX
sation at the table was more subdued than usual,
although 1t was guest night, he Opined that
during his brief absence storm had been gather
Ing which would presently burst upon his head.
Immediately after dinner Smith, as was his Gus
tom, rose and left the room without taking any
wine. Bob Topsham also rose and followed him,
and when he got outside the door said in q voice
Whlen was almost inartfculate with anger:
havior?"
"Hullo!" exclaimed Smith, laughing; "that's
IdtucI SOOu, vi years standing making
cool request like that to man fifteen years his
SenOr!"
81 don't care If you were fifty years my senior"
retorted the young officer. you've behaved in
a"
'stop! stop!7 cried old Smith, "don'r 90 too far!
Let me have word! Come TO my roOms!"
Directly the door was closed behind them old
Smith, without any preface said: "Are you still in
love with Oracle ClOugh?"
"Of course am" replied Bob. in amazement.
but WHAT'S the use OF 1t now you've bOlted with
her? You've taken mean advantage of fellow.
You've behaved like "a"
STEADY, lad. steady J" interposed old Smith, lay
Ing MS hand gently on the shoulder Of the ex-
cited youngSter. It's true I've taken her away
but only did so to enable me to do you a good
turn. You're quite sure you love Oracle SUffi-
GENTLY 10 make her good husband?"
"Why, OF course do" replied Bob, looking In
qulr1ngly In the face OF the elder officer. "But
you been dOing?"
"Well, I've got your fathers consent to your
marriage with her. that's ALL" replied old Smith.
You have!" gasped Bob TOpSham. 'DO YOU
mean 10 say That you've given her up to me? You,
who loved her as much as did? You, whom I've
been slang1ng right and left for doing what 1
tnOught was mean action. Where is Gracie?'
'At her fatherS-at my fathers house." replied
Smith.
"Her fathers and your father's?, repeated the
young man "Why, is she your sister,"
Yes she Is my sister," replied Old Smith. "My
father is poor country parson. He couldn't ar
ford to keep Oracle at home. She shuddered at
the notion OF going out as a governess SO She as
suIned another name and went into the millinery
business. didn't want it known all over the regi-
ment that had q sister In q milliner'S ShOp
That's au."-London Truth.
Who Bides His Time.